Lesson 672: Ups and Downs

Hello, Readers!

The Ups and Downs continue at the Lamp Post this week.

The bright red leaves atop of one of my favorite trees have fallen down.

The November skies 

when the sun comes up 

sure have been beautiful.

They are interesting all throughout the day,

as well.

Check out this weather front 

moving in across the vineyards this afternoon.

Sun down,

moon up,

brings sideways smiles, too.

The Erie weather in November has begun its cycle 

of extreme ups and downs.

Tree branches belong way high up in trees.

But sometimes the come down through your roof

like a spear,

and into your living room....

directly above your Bibles.

Kenyan...

someone may be trying to send you a message.

Just sayin'.

It snowed this past week!

Hazel wasn't sure what to make it.

Penny tried to insulate herself against the chill.

My parents put up the snow stick.

Yes, out of towners,

we measure snow in feet in Erie.

Any seasoned Erieite knows 

that prior to the harshness of the frozen part of winter,

we brace for wind storms along the lake.

Last Sunday night proved to be tragic for our favorite spot

along the northern border.

Life was anything but good at the Beach.

These were the shots of the enormous ups and downs

of the aftermath swells the next morning.

This is how she stood after 25 foot waves

and 50 mph winds.

The force took off the front

The beach glass hunt can resume on the INSIDE of the place.

30 years of giant beach glass jars lost..

but Sam and I found one intact!

We also found this perfect table and chair set 

my parents just purchased after last year's clean up.

They were buried in debris,

but we dug them out and amazingly

all four chairs and the table survived 

without a scratch!

When you experience a loss of your possessions in a fire or a flood--

and we've had experience with both--

there are ups and downs of emotions.

We cried over our favorites destroyed,

and rejoiced at finding something unscathed.

In the end,

all that matters are the people.

No one was hurt that night.

Everyone made it to safety.

The next day's clean up

was nearly as harrowing as the night prior

as I had to watch my mother back down the steep gravel driveway...

and have my father direct her down.

It's all about People, 

not Places,

for this Thanksgiving holiday.

This will be a time of stories to tell and retell

for many years to come.

Do what you must to protect the ones you love.

That's all that truly matters.

Eloise